Timeline: Sleeman Family History and Events

John H. Sleeman settles in St. David’s and opens the Stamford Spring Brewery

1841

George Sleeman born in St. David’s, Upper Canada

1845

John H. Sleeman moves to Lockport, NY to craft brew beer

1847

John H. Sleeman sells the Stamford Spring Brewery and moves to Guelph

1847-1850

Sleeman leases Hodgert’s Brewery on Bedford Street

1850

John H. Sleeman purchases land on Waterloo Avenue

1851

John H. Sleeman builds a 24’ x 40’ building on Waterloo Avenue and opens the Silver Creek Brewery

1859

The first Sleeman home, a two-story family house, is built at 501 Waterloo Avenue

1859

George Sleeman (Sr.) takes over the day-to-day operations of the brewery at age 18

1862

The business renamed Sleeman and Son and George Sleeman (Sr.) manages the family business

1863

The Guelph Maple Leaf Base Ball Club started in Guelph

1864

The Canada Temperance Act passed, allowing counties and municipalities to prohibit the retail sale of alcohol if supported by a majority vote

1865

George Sleeman (Sr.) becomes a partner in the family business

1865

George Sleeman (Sr.) purchases family home from his parents

1867

John H. Sleeman retires from the brewing industry and George Sleeman (Sr.) becomes the sole owner of the family business. Establishes agencies in Hamilton, Brantford, Owen Sound, Stratford, and Palmerston

1867

George A. Sleeman born

1869

Guelph Maple Leafs win the Canadian Championship in London, Ontario

1874

George Sleeman (Sr.) elected president of the Guelph Maple Leafs Base Ball Club

1874

The Guelph Maple Leafs win the first baseball World Championship in Watertown, N.Y.

1874

George Sleeman (Sr.) introduces bisulphate of soda to Sleeman beer, which acts as a stabilizer and preservative

1876

George Sleeman (Sr.) elected to Guelph Town Council (South Ward)

1877

George Sleeman (Sr.) elected Deputy Reeve of Guelph

1879

George Sleeman (Sr.) chairs the Inauguration Committee to transform Guelph from a town to a city

1880

George Sleeman (Sr.) becomes Guelph’s first mayor after the city’s incorporation

1886

George A. Sleeman manages the Brantford agency for four years

1891

The Sleeman residence at 501 Waterloo Ave completed (summer)

1893

John H. Sleeman dies in St. David’s

1894

Sleeman beer is available in Quebec through an agency in Montreal

1894

The development of the Guelph Railway Company begins

1898

George A. Sleeman finishes writing his recipe book

1898

George A. Sleeman becomes an agent in Ottawa for Sleeman Brewing and Malting

1900

Sleeman Brewing and Malting is incorporated and a second brewery, Spring Bank Beverages, is erected on Edinburgh Street

1901

P.E.I. becomes the first province to enact prohibition

1902

The bank takes over the Guelph Railway Company and the Silver Creek Brewery

1903

The Sleeman family starts a small rival operation called Spring Bank Brewery

1905

George Sleeman (Sr.) retires from the family business

1906

The Sleeman's buy Silver Creek Brewery back from the bank and merge it with Spring Bank Brewery

1916

The Ontario Temperance Act is passed and prohibits the sale of alcohol, but not the act of brewing or distilling liquor or alcohol

1919

The US government enacts national prohibition

1921

Spring Bank Beverages name changed to Canadian Malt Products

1926

George Sleeman (Sr.) dies

1927

Spring Bank Brewery incorporated and managed by Henry O. Sleeman

1927

The Ontario Temperance Act repealed. Ontario becomes the last southern province to end prohibition and switch to a provincial control system known as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)

1933

Henry O. and brothers charged with smuggling and not paying their taxes